A day in the Pennines...

After a stream of reports coming from the North Pennines, with the presence of a White-Tailed Eagle, myself and Phil decided to head down for a much needed days birding. 

Although we didn't manage to find the WTE, we did have a brilliant few hours in the company of Red Grouse, Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Skylarks and the showy Great Grey Shrike at Stanhope.

No matter how desolate they are, there's something quite inspiring about the moors in the Spring.

Unexpected in Salford

Today I've been down to the University of Salford for an interview. Once I'd finished I had a few hours before my train departed for Penrith, so I wandered off campus and along the River Irwell. The first thing to catch my eye as I headed down was a Kingfisher darting along the bank side ! Something I hadn't expected in pretty much inner city Manchester. Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Moorhen, Canada Geese, and Black Headed Gulls were all on the first bend.


The majority of the stretch I covered had flood defences either side, with large housing estates not far from the water. Adding Chiff Chaff Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove and a few Grey Squirrels I soon began moving out of the man made landscape and into a little wild corner, an area labeled on the map as the 'Irwell Sculpture Trail', it had the vibe of Plessey Woods. Another Kingfisher made it self known, along with a single Grey Heron, but as I made my way round the corner the most unexpected sighting of the day occurred, first the call, then a brief glimpse flying by, a Green Sandpiper ! Using the bank as covered I managed to creep along and watch it feeding along the shoreline.


Its amazing what urban areas can hide.

A visit to the Heronry...

Norfolk

Had a whistle stop tour of North Norfolk this weekend with Ashley, Ryan and Steve. Highlights were Golden Pheasant, Lesser White Fronted Goose, Taiga Bean, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, Shore Lark, Snow Bunting, Ring-Necked Duck, Rough-Legged Buzzard, Barn Owl, Common Crane, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Velvet Scoter, Long-Tailed Duck and a Chinese Water Deer.


We were mainly birding, but here's a few images from the weekend.